WATCH: Gators’ commit elite WR Vernell Brown III FaceTimes Florida HC Billy Napier as a surprise

By Aman Sharma

Modified Jul 22, 2024 14:45 GMT

Highly coveted wide receiver Vernell Brown III made a surprise FaceTime call to Florida Gators coach Billy Napier to announce his commitment to the team. On Sunday, Rivals shared an Instagram clip capturing the moment Brown, in a heartfelt gesture, wished coach Napier a happy birthday while expressing his readiness to kickstart the recruiting class.

During the call, Brown enthusiastically said:

"I was trying to surprise you for it. I'm ready to get this recruiting class started. Coach Gonzalez is calling me. Happy birthday. Appreciate y'all. Congratulations."

On Sunday, Brown, a five-star recruit and the No. 6 wide receiver in the 2025 class, chose Florida over other top-tier programs, including Ohio State, Florida State and Miami. His decision is significant as he becomes the highest-ranked recruit in Florida's 2025 class.

Brown's announcement, revealed through an exclusive commitment video on Gators Online and the On3 Recruits YouTube channel, highlighted his belief that the University of Florida would best help him achieve his goals.

Brown shared with Rivals:

"They made their move the other day. I was in the car with my family and we were just asking a whole bunch of questions...and the school that answered the most amount of those questions was Florida. After that, it was kind of a no-brainer."

Ranked as the No. 4 player in Florida and the No. 33 overall prospect in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking, Vernell Brown is determined to outshine the legacy of his father and grandfather, both former Florida players.

"It brings that extra pride on gameday," he told On3. "Representing their legacy is going to be really good, but ultimately, I want to be better than my dad and granddad and what they did. I want to be the best Brown to ever come through Florida."

Vernell Brown III's commitment to Florida Gators reflects legacy and ambition

Vernell Brown has fostered a strong bond with Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier and wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales. In the 2023 season, Brown showcased his talent with 70 receptions, 1,363 yards and 10 touchdowns, underscoring his potential to elevate the Gators' future.

Discussing his decision, Vernell Brown told On3:

“Honestly, I think the biggest difference with Florida and Ohio State is the fact that Florida is in Florida. And that UF degree is definitely a lot different than what it used to be.”

Despite the Gators' challenging 5-7 (3-5 Southeastern Conference) season last year, Vernell Brown remains optimistic about the team's direction.

"This year will definitely signify the growth and development that they’re having," he said. "They signed a really good class in the 2024 cycle."

This commitment significantly boosted the Gators' standing, propelling them from the 53rd to the 31st spot in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Florida now boasts 10 commits for the 2025 class.